Washing machine with heater



Feb. 15, 1955 J. DUQUENNE WASHING MACHINE WITH HEATER Filed Jan. 9, 1951 A'TTYJ United States Patent WASHING MACHINE WITH HEATER Jean Duquenue, Liege, Belgium Application January 9, 1951, Serial No. 205,171

Claims priority, application Belgium January 18, 1950 1 Claim. (Cl. 68-46) The present invention relates to a washing machine comprising a tub in which a drum containing the material to be washed rotates.

In conventional machines of this type the water of a bath is introduced into the tub after the previous bath has been removed. The water of the bath is then heated by various methods, for example by a fire directly under the tub, injection of steam directly into the bath, or by passing steam through a coil within the bath or through a jacket surrounding the tub. Alternatively, there may be one or more water inlets in the tub, some of which deliver hot water directly into the tub. Washing agents are then introduced into the water of the bath, for example soap, soda or the like. However, these only become fully eifective after they are completely dissolved in and in intimate mixture with the water of the bath. Consequently, in machines of this type a certain period of time elapses before the washing action of the bath is fully effective.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback, to which end is provided a washing machine comprising a tub having a rotatable drum therein, the tub being associated with a receptacle for preparing the washing bath. According to the invention, the receptacle for preparing the bath surrounds the tub containing the drum, these two vessels being adapted to be placed in communication with each other by means of a conduit having a valve therein which is operable from outside of the structure. The bath which has been completely prepared in the receptacle is thereby enabled to pass into the tub.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an end elevation of a washing machine according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken along line IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a modified view of a washing machine according to the present invention, and

Fig. 4 is a section taken along line IVIV of Fig. 3.

As seen in Fig. 1 a machine constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a perforated drum 2 adapted to receive material to be washed, and which is horizontally rotatably housed in a tub 3. The tub 3 is surrounded by receptacle 4 suitable for preparing the washing bath. Connecting the tub 3 and the receptacle 4 is a pipe 5 having a valve 6. Also provided on tub 3 is an outlet pipe 25 having a valve 7, this latter valve enabling the tub to be emptied.

Surrounding the tub 3 is jacket 11 which is disposed partially between the tub 3 and the receptacle 4. A heating coil 12 extends from the lower portion of jacket 11 into a fire box 21 which supports the machine.

On the upper portion of the tub 3 is provided funnel 9 through which the water may be initially admitted to the washing tub. Receptacle 4 is provided with funnel ice 10 through which washing products may be introduced. Supply line 22, shown only in Fig. 2, having valves 23 and 24 supplies water to both receptacle 4 and to tub 3 through funnel 26.

In operation, water may be admitted into the receptacle 4 through funnel 26 and washing products added through funnel 10. The bath is then heated by means of a heating medium passing through jacket 11. When the washing product is fully dissolved in the water, the bath is admitted to the tub 3 through the pipe 5. The material to be washed is placed in the revolving drum and the operation proceeds as in a conventional washing machine. During the washing operation the water in the tub is kept heated by the heating medium passing through jacket 11 after circulating through heating coil 12 and being heated by a fire in fire box 21. A second bath may be prepared in receptacle 4 at the same time. This is also heated by the heating medium passing through jacket 11.

The modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4 comprises a perforated drum 30 adapted to receive material to be washed, and which is horizontally rotatably mounted in a tub 31. The tub 31 is surrounded by a receptacle 32 suitable for preparing the washing bath. Receptacle 32 is mounted on base 46 which supports the machine. Connecting the tub 31 and the receptacle 32 is a pipe 33 having therein a valve 34. Also provided on tub 31 is an outlet pipe 35 having therein valve 36, this latter valve enabling the tub to be emptied.

Surrounding the tub 31 is a jacket 37 which is disposed between the tub 31 and the receptacle 4. The jacket is provided with an inlet pipe 38 and an outlet pipe 39.

On the upper portion of tub 31 is provided a funnel 40 through which the water may be initially admitted to the washing tub. Receptacle 32 is provided with funnel 41 through whichwashing products may be introduced into the receptacle. Supply line 42, shown only in Fig. 4, having valves 43 and 44 supplies water to tub 31 through funnel 40 and to receptacle 32 through funnel 45.

The operation of the modified machine is the same as the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2, except that the heating medium is supplied to jacket 37 through inlet pipe 38 and outlet pipe 39 from a remote source.

I claim:

A washing machine comprising a stand, a tub mounted on said stand, a rotatable drum in said tub for receiving clothes, said drum being provided with perforations and having a horizontal axis of rotation, a receptacle for preparing the washing bath before its introduction into said tub, said bath-preparing receptacle entirely surrounding said tub, a pipe leading from said receptacle to said tub, a heating jacket between said tub and said receptacle, said heating jacket directly surrounding said tub for simultaneously furnishing heat to said tub and said receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 25,177 Coombs Aug. 23, 1859 121,136 Taylor Nov. 21, 1871 318,413 Burkhardt May 19, 1885 1,233,796 Lyche July 17, 1917 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,525 Switzerland Feb. 5, 1892 63,104 Switzerland May 22, 1913 607,380 France Mar. 26, 1926 163,517 Switzerland Nov. 16, 1933 

